Issues

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[3] For more information pertaining to DeFazio's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[4]

National security

American response in Syria

More than 100 House lawmakers signed a letter urging President Barack Obama to call Congress back into session if he planned to use military force in Syria.[5]

Rep. Scott Rigell wrote in the letter in August 2013, “engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.”[5][6]

The members of Congress believed that Obama should have asked Congress for permission before engaging in Libya. The letter asked, “If the use of 221 Tomahawk cruise missles, [sic] 704 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and 42 Predator Hellfire missiles expended in Libya does not constitute ‘hostilities,’ what does?”[6]

The letter stated, “If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your request. We stand ready to come back into session, consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict."[6]

On August 29, 2013, more than 50 HouseDemocrats signed a letter written by CaliforniaRep.Barbara Lee that called for a congressional resolution on strikes, and cautioned that the dire situation in Syria "should not draw us into an unwise war—especially without adhering to our constitutional requirements."[6][7] The letter also called on the Obama administration to work with the U.N. Security Council “to build international consensus” condemning the alleged use of chemical weapons. DeFazio was one of the 50 Democrats in the House to sign the letter.[6][7]

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations

DeFazio voted againstHR 2217 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[8]

Keystone Pipeline Amendment

DeFazio voted in favor of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[8]

Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

DeFazio voted against HR 624 - the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[9] The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[8]

National Defense Authorization Act

DeFazio voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[8]

Economy

Immigration

Morton Memos Enforcement Prohibition

DeFazio voted against House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States. The vote largely followed party lines.[8]

Healthcare

Health Care Reform Rules

DeFazio voted against House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[8]

Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act

DeFazio voted against HR 2009 - Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013. The bill passed through the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 232-185. The bill would prevent the IRS and Treasury Secretary from enforcing the powers provided to them in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The vote largely followed party lines.[8]

Social issues

SNAP challenge

In June 2013, more than two dozen HouseDemocrats, including DeFazio, took part in a SNAP challenge, feeding themselves for a week on the average benefit level of a SNAP recipient.[10] Participants agreed to eat all meals from a limited food budget comparable to that of a SNAP participant, approximately $1.50 per meal, or $4.50 a day.[11]

Amash amendment

DeFazio voted in favor of House Amendment 413 - Prohibits the National Security Agency from Collecting Records Under the Patriot Act. The amendment failed on July 4, 2013, by a vote of 205-217. The amendment would have prohibited the collection of records by the National Security Agency under the Patriot Act. Both parties were split on the vote.[8]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

DeFazio voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 16 Democrats that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[12]

Elections

2014

DeFazio was set to run for re-election to the U.S. House in 2014. He will seek the Democratic nomination in the primary election on May 20, 2014 should he choose to run. The general election took place November 4, 2014.

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Peter DeFazio, click [show] to expand the section.

2010

On November 2, 2010, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Art Robinson (R) and Mike Beilstein (Pacific Green) in the general election.[14]

U.S. House, Oregon District 4 General Election, 2010

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

54.6%

162,416

Republican

Art Robinson

43.7%

129,877

Pacific Green

Mike Beilstein

1.8%

5,215

Total Votes

297,508

2008

On November 4, 2008, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jaynee Germond and Mike Beilstein in the general election.[15]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 2008

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

82.3%

275,143

Constitution

Jaynee Germond

12.9%

43,133

Pacific Green

Mike Beilstein

3.9%

13,162

N/A

Miscellaneous

0.8%

2,708

Total Votes

334,146

2006

On November 7, 2006, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jim Feldkamp in the general election.[16]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 2006

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

62.2%

180,607

Republican

Jim Feldkamp

37.6%

109,105

N/A

Miscellaneous

0.2%

532

Total Votes

290,244

2004

On November 2, 2004, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jim Feldkamp, Jacob Boone and Michael Paul Marsh in the general election.[17]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 2004

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

61%

228,611

Republican

Jim Feldkamp

37.6%

140,882

Libertarian

Jacob Boone

0.9%

3,190

Constitution

Miscellaneous

0.5%

1,799

N/A

0%

0

Total Votes

374,482

2002

On November 5, 2002, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Liz VanLeeuwen and Chris Bigelow in the general election.[18]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 2002

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

63.8%

168,150

Republican

Liz VanLeeuwen

34.4%

90,523

Libertarian

Chris Bigelow

1.7%

4,602

N/A

Miscellaneous

0.1%

206

Total Votes

263,481

2000

On November 7, 2000, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Lindsey and David Duemler in the general election.[19]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 2000

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

68%

197,998

Republican

John Lindsey

30.6%

88,950

Socialist

David Duemler

1.3%

3,696

N/A

Miscellaneous

0.1%

421

Total Votes

291,065

1998

On November 3, 1998, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Steve Webb and Karl Sorg in the general election.[20]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 1998

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

70.1%

157,524

Republican

Steve Webb

28.6%

64,143

Socialist

Karl Sorg

1.2%

2,694

N/A

Miscellaneous

0.1%

276

Total Votes

224,637

1996

On November 5, 1996, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Newkirk, William Bonville, Allan Opus, Tonie Nathan and David Duemler in the general election.[21]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 1996

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

65.8%

177,270

Republican

John Newkirk

28.4%

76,649

Libertarian

Tonie Nathan

1.8%

4,919

Reform

William Bonville

1.4%

3,690

Socialist

David Duemler

0.5%

1,373

Pacific

Allan Opus

0.5%

1,311

N/A

Miscellaneous

1.6%

4,374

Total Votes

269,586

1994

On November 8, 1994, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Newkirk in the general election.[22]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 1994

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

66.8%

158,981

Republican

John Newkirk

33.2%

78,947

N/A

Miscellaneous

0.1%

221

Total Votes

238,149

1992

On November 3, 1992, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Richard Schulz in the general election.[23]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 1992

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

71.4%

199,372

Republican

Richard Schulz

28.5%

79,733

N/A

Miscellaneous

0.1%

194

Total Votes

279,299

1990

On November 6, 1990, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Tonie Nathan in the general election.[24]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 1990

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

85.8%

162,494

Libertarian

Tonie Nathan

14%

26,432

N/A

Miscellaneous

0.2%

426

Total Votes

189,352

1988

On November 8, 1988, Peter DeFazio won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jim Howard in the general election.[25]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 1988

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazioincumbent

72%

108,483

Republican

Jim Howard

28%

42,220

N/A

Miscellaneous

0%

32

Total Votes

150,735

1986

On November 4, 1986, Peter DeFazio won election to the United States House. He defeated Bruce Long in the general election.[26]

U.S. House of Representatives, Oregon District 4, General Election, 1986

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Peter DeFazio

54.3%

106,697

Republican

Bruce Long

45.7%

89,795

N/A

Miscellaneous

0%

56

Total Votes

196,548

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for DeFazio is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, DeFazio raised a total of $5,676,948 during that time period. This information was last updated on May 16, 2013.[27]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, DeFazio missed 615 of 16,285 roll call votes from Jan 1987 to Mar 2013, which is 3.8% of the votes during that period. This is worse than the median of 2.2% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving. [36]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. DeFazio paid his congressional staff a total of $905,958 in 2011. Overall, Oregon ranked 8th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[37]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, DeFazio's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $519,020 and $1,955,996. This averages to $1,237,508, which is a 41.18% decrease since 2010. This is lower than the $5,107,874 average net worth for Democratic representatives in 2011.[38]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, DeFazio's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $1,067,020 to $3,140,996. That averages to $2,104,008 which is lower than the average net worth of Republican Democratic in 2010 of $4,465,875.[39]

National Journal vote ratings

Each year, National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.